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7 CFR § 42.112 - Defects of containers: Tables IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, and X.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t7/s42.112"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "7 CFR § 42.112 - Defects of containers: Tables IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, and X."
title_number: 7
title_name: "Agriculture"
section_number: "42.112"
section_name: "Defects of containers: Tables IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, and X."
chapter_name: "AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (STANDARDS, INSPECTIONS, MARKETING PRACTICES), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE"
subchapter_number: "A"
subchapter_name: "COMMODITY STANDARDS AND CONTAINER REQUIREMENTS"
part_number: "42"
part_name: "STANDARDS FOR CONDITION OF FOOD CONTAINERS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "Secs. 203, 205, 60 Stat. 1087, as amended, 1090, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1622, 1624)."
cfr_part: "42"
---

# 42.112 Defects of containers: Tables IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, and X.

Table IV—Metal Containers

[Rigid and semi-rigid]

|  |  |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Type or size of container or component parts not as specified |  |  |  |
| Closure incomplete, not located correctly or not sealed, crimped, or fitted properly: |  |  |  |
| (a) Heat processed primary container | 1 |  |  |
| (b) Non-heat processed primary container |  | 101 |  |
| (c) Other than primary container |  |  | 201 |
| Dirty, stained, or smeared container |  |  | 202 |
| Key opening metal containers (when required): |  |  |  |
| (a) Key missing |  | 102 |  |
| (b) Key does not fit tab |  | 103 |  |
| (c) Tab of opening band insufficient to provide accessibility to key |  | 104 |  |
| (d) Improper scoring (band would not be removed in one continuous strip) |  | 105 |  |
| Metal pop-top: |  |  |  |
| (a) Missing or broken pull tab |  | 106 |  |
| (b) Missing or incomplete score line (not conforming to a relevant product specification) |  | 107 |  |
| Flexible pop-top: |  |  |  |
| (a) Poor seal (wrinkle, entrapped matter, etc.) |  | 108 |  |
| (b) Short pull tab (not conforming to a relevant product specification) |  |  | 203 |
| (c) Missing pull tab |  | 109 |  |
| (d) Torn pull tab |  |  | 204 |
| Open top with plastic overcap (when required): |  |  |  |
| (a) Plastic overcap missing |  | 110 |  |
| (b) Plastic overcap warped (making opening or reapplication difficult) |  | 111 |  |
| Outside tinplate or coating (when required): |  |  |  |
| (a) Missing or incomplete |  |  | 205 |
| (b) Blistered, flaked, sagged, or wrinkled |  |  | 206 |
| (c) Scratched or scored |  |  | 207 |
| (d) Fine cracks |  |  | 208 |
| Rust (rust stain confined to the top or bottom double seam or rust that can be removed with a soft cloth is not scored a defect): |  |  |  |
| (a) Rust stain |  |  | 209 |
| (b) Pitted rust |  | 112 |  |
| Wet cans (excluding refrigerated containers) |  |  | 210 |
| Dent: |  |  |  |
| (a) Materially affecting appearance but not usability |  |  | 211 |
| (b) Materially affecting usability |  | 113 |  |
| Buckle: |  |  |  |
| (a) Not involving end seam |  |  | 212 |
| (b) Extending into the end seam |  | 114 |  |
| Collapsed container |  | 115 |  |
| Paneled side materially affecting appearance but not usability |  |  | 213 |
| Solder missing when required |  | 116 |  |
| Cable cut exposing seam |  | 117 |  |
| Improper side seam |  | 118 |  |
| Swell, springer, or flipper (not applicable to gas or pressure packed product nor frozen products) | 2 |  |  |
| Leaker or blown container | 3 |  |  |
| Frozen products only: |  |  |  |
| (a) Bulging ends ⁄-inch to ⁄-inch beyond lip |  |  | 214 |
| (b) Bulging ends more than ⁄-inch beyond lip |  | 119 |  |
| Metal drums: leaking filling seal (bung) swell | 4 | 120 |  |
| Defect classification depends on the severity of the defect. |  |  |  |

Table V—Composite Containers

[Fiberboard body with metal lids or metal bottoms, plastic or foil top with cap]

|  |  |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Type or size of container or component parts not as specified |  |  |  |
| Closure incomplete, not located correctly or not sealed, crimped, or fitted properly | 1 |  |  |
| Dirty, stained, or smeared container |  |  | 201 |
| Easy open closure: |  |  |  |
| (a) Pull tab: |  |  |  |
| 1. Missing or broken pull tab |  | 101 |  |
| 2. Missing or incomplete score line |  | 102 |  |
| (b) Membrane top: |  |  |  |
| 1. Poor seal (wrinkle, entrapped matter, etc.) |  | 103 |  |
| 2. Short pull tab |  | 104 |  |
| 3. Missing pull tab |  | 105 |  |
| 4. Torn pull tab |  | 106 |  |
| (c) Open top with plastic overcap (when required): |  |  |  |
| 1. Plastic overcap missing |  | 107 |  |
| 2. Plastic overcap warped (making opening or reapplication difficult) |  | 108 |  |
| Outside tinplate or coating on ends (when required): |  |  |  |
| (a) Missing or incomplete |  |  | 202 |
| (b) Blistered, flaked, sagged, or wrinkled |  |  | 203 |
| (c) Scratched or scored |  |  | 204 |
| (d) Fine cracks |  |  | 205 |
| Collapsed container |  | 109 |  |
| Paneled side materially affecting appearance but not usability |  |  | 206 |
| Leaker | 2 |  |  |
| Wet or damp: |  |  |  |
| (a) Materially affecting appearance but not usability |  |  | 207 |
| (b) Materially affecting usability |  | 110 |  |
| Crushed or torn area: |  |  |  |
| (a) Materially affecting appearance but not usability |  |  | 208 |
| (b) Materially affecting usability |  | 111 |  |

Table VI—Glass Containers

[Bottles, Jars]

|  |  |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Type or size of container or component parts not as specified |  |  |  |
| Closure not sealed, crimped, or fitted properly: |  |  |  |
| (a) Heat processed | 1 |  |  |
| (b) Non-heat processed |  | 101 |  |
| Dirty, stained, or smeared container |  |  | 201 |
| Chip in glass |  |  | 202 |
| Stone (unmelted material) in glass |  |  | 203 |
| Pits in surface of glass |  |  | 204 |
| Sagging surface |  |  | 205 |
| Bead (bubble within glass): |  |  |  |
| (a) ⁄-inch to ⁄-inch in diameter |  |  | 206 |
| (b) Exceeding ⁄-inch in diameter |  | 102 |  |
| Checked |  | 103 |  |
| Thin spot in glass |  | 104 |  |
| Blister (structural defect) |  | 105 |  |
| Bird swing (glass appendage inside container) | 2 |  |  |
| Broken or leaking container | 3 |  |  |
| Cap (nonheat processed): |  |  |  |
| (a) Cross-threaded |  |  | 207 |
| (b) Loose but not leaking |  |  | 208 |
| (c) Pitted rust |  | 106 |  |
| Cap (heat processed): |  |  |  |
| (a) Cross-threaded or loose | 4 |  |  |
| (b) Pitted rust |  | 107 |  |
| Sealing tape or cello band (when required): |  |  |  |
| (a) Improperly placed |  |  | 209 |
| (b) Not covering juncture of cap and glass |  | 108 |  |
| (c) Ends overlap by less than ⁄-inch |  | 109 |  |
| (d) Loose or deteriorating |  | 110 |  |
| Missing or torn outer safety seal |  | 111 |  |
| Inner safety seal—missing, torn, poor seal |  | 112 |  |

Table VII—Plastic Containers

[Rigid and Semi-Rigid, Bottles, Jars, Tubs, Trays, Pails, etc.]

|  |  |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Type or size of container or component parts not as specified |  |  |  |
| Closure not sealed, crimped, or fitted properly: |  |  |  |
| (a) Heat processed | 1 |  |  |
| (b) Non-heat processed |  | 101 |  |
| Dirty, stained, or smeared container |  |  | 201 |
| Chip in plastic |  |  | 202 |
| Un-melted gels in plastic |  |  | 203 |
| Pits in surface of plastic |  |  | 204 |
| Sagging surface |  |  | 205 |
| Air bubble within plastic: |  |  |  |
| (a) ⁄-inch to ⁄-inch in diameter |  |  | 206 |
| (b) Exceeding ⁄-inch in diameter |  | 102 |  |
| Checked |  | 103 |  |
| Thin spot in plastic |  | 104 |  |
| Blister (structural defect) |  | 105 |  |
| Broken or leaking container | 2 |  |  |
| Cap (non-heat processed): |  |  |  |
| (a) Cross-threaded |  |  | 207 |
| (b) Loose but not leaking |  |  | 208 |
| Cap (heat processed), cross-threaded or loose | 3 |  |  |
| Security seals: |  |  |  |
| (a) Closure ring missing |  | 106 |  |
| (b) Missing or torn outer safety seal |  | 107 |  |
| (c) Inner safety seal—missing, torn, or poor seal |  | 108 |  |
| (d) Sealing tape or cello band (when required): |  |  |  |
| 1. Improperly placed |  |  | 209 |
| 2. Not covering juncture of cap and plastic |  | 109 |  |
| 3. Ends overlap by less than ⁄-inch |  | 110 |  |
| 4. Loose or deteriorating |  | 111 |  |

Table VIII—Rigid and Semi-Rigid Containers—Corrugated or Solid Fiberboard, Chipboard, Wood, Paperboard Aseptic Cartons, Polymeric Trays, etc.

[Excluding metal, glass, and plastic]

|  |  |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Type or size of container or component parts not as specified |  |  |  |
| Component part missing |  | 101 |  |
| Closure not sealed, crimped, or fitted properly: |  |  |  |
| (a) Primary container | 1 |  |  |
| (b) Other than primary container |  |  | 201 |
| Dirty, stained, or smeared container |  |  | 202 |
| Wet or damp (excluding ice packs): |  |  |  |
| (a) Materially affecting appearance but not usability |  |  | 203 |
| (b) Materially affecting usability |  | 102 |  |
| Moldy area | 2 |  |  |
| Crushed or torn area: |  |  |  |
| (a) Materially affecting appearance but not usability |  |  | 204 |
| (b) Materially affecting usability |  | 103 |  |
| Separation of lamination (corrugated fiberboard): |  |  |  |
| (a) Materially affecting appearance but not usability |  |  | 205 |
| (b) Materially affecting usability |  | 104 |  |
| Product sifting or leaking |  | 105 |  |
| Nails or staples (when required): |  |  |  |
| (a) Not as required, insufficient number or improperly positioned |  |  | 206 |
| (b) Nails or staples protruding |  | 106 |  |
| Glue or adhesive (when required); not holding properly, not covering area specified, or not covering sufficient area to hold properly: |  |  |  |
| (a) Primary container |  | 107 |  |
| (b) Other than primary container |  |  | 207 |
| Flap: |  |  |  |
| (a) Projects beyond edge of container more than ⁄-inch |  |  | 208 |
| (b) Does not meet properly, allowing space of more than ⁄-inch |  |  | 209 |
| Sealing tape or strapping (when required): |  |  |  |
| (a) Missing |  | 108 |  |
| (b) Improperly placed or applied |  |  | 210 |
| Missing component (straw, etc.) |  |  | 211 |
| Paperboard Aseptic Cartons: |  |  |  |
| (a) Missing re-sealable cap or tab |  | 109 |  |
| (b) Inner or outer safety seal—missing, torn, poor seal | 3 |  |  |
| Thermostabilized polymeric trays: |  |  |  |
| Tray body: |  |  |  |
| (a) Swollen container | 4 |  |  |
| (b) Tear, crack, hole, abrasion through more than one layer of multi-layer laminate for the tray | 5 |  |  |
| (c) Presence of delamination in multi-layered laminate |  |  | 212 |
| (d) Presence of any permanent deformation, such that deformed area is discolored or roughened in texture |  |  | 213 |
| Lid material: |  |  |  |
| (a) Closure seal not continuous along tray flange surface | 6 |  |  |
| (b) Foldover wrinkle in seal area extends into the closure seal such that the closure seal is reduced to less than ⁄-inch | 7 |  |  |
| (c) Any impression or design on the seal surfaces which conceals or impairs visual detection of seal defects |  | 110 |  |
| (d) Areas of “wave-like” striations or wrinkles along the seal area that spans the entire width of seal |  |  | 214 |
| (e) Abrasion of lid material: |  |  |  |
| 1. Within ⁄-inch of food product edge of seal such that barrier layer is exposed | 8 |  |  |
| 2. Greater than ⁄-inch from food product edge of seal that barrier layer is exposed |  |  | 215 |
| (f) Presence of entrapped matter within ⁄-inch of the food product edge of seal or entrapped moisture or vapor with ⁄-inch of the food product edge of seal that results in less than ⁄-inch of defect free seal width at the outside edge | 9 |  |  |
| (g) Presence of any seal defect or anomaly (for example, entrapped moisture, gases, etc.) within ⁄-inch of food product edge of seal |  | 111 |  |
| (h) Closure seal width less than ⁄-inch |  |  | 216 |

Table IX—Flexible Containers

[Plastic, Cellophane, Paper, Textile, Laminated Multi-Layer Pouch, Bag, etc.]

|  |  |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Type or size of container or component parts not as specified |  |  |  |
| Closure not sealed, crimped, stitched, or fitted properly: |  |  |  |
| (a) Heat processed primary container | 1 |  |  |
| (b) Non-heat processed primary container |  | 101 |  |
| (c) Other than primary container |  |  | 201 |
| Dirty, stained, or smeared container |  |  | 202 |
| Unmelted gels in plastic |  |  | 203 |
| Torn or cut container or abrasion (non-leaker): |  |  |  |
| (a) Materially affecting appearance but not usability |  |  | 204 |
| (b) Materially affecting usability |  | 102 |  |
| Moldy area | 2 |  |  |
| Individual packages sticking together or to shipping case (tear when separated) |  | 103 |  |
| Not fully covering product |  | 104 |  |
| Wet or damp (excluding ice packs): |  |  |  |
| (a) Materially affecting appearance but not usability |  |  | 205 |
| (b) Materially affecting usability |  | 105 |  |
| Over wrap (when required): |  |  |  |
| (a) Missing |  | 106 |  |
| (b) Loose, not sealed, or closed |  |  | 206 |
| (c) Improperly applied |  |  | 207 |
| Sealing tape, strapping, or adhesives (when required): |  |  |  |
| (a) Missing |  | 107 |  |
| (b) Improperly placed, applied, torn, or wrinkled |  |  | 208 |
| Tape over bottom and top closures (when required): |  |  |  |
| (a) Not covering stitching |  | 108 |  |
| (b) Torn (exposing stitching) |  | 109 |  |
| (c) Wrinkled (exposing stitching) |  | 110 |  |
| (d) Not adhering to bag: |  |  |  |
| 1. Exposing stitching |  | 111 |  |
| 2. Not exposing stitching |  |  | 209 |
| (e) Improper placement |  |  | 210 |
| Product sifting or leaking: |  |  |  |
| (a) Non-heat processed |  | 112 |  |
| (b) Heat processed | 3 |  |  |
| Flexible pop-top: |  |  |  |
| (a) Poor seal (wrinkle, entrapped matter, etc.) reducing intact seal to less than ⁄-inch | 4 |  |  |
| (b) Short pull tab (materially affecting usability) |  |  | 212 |
| (c) Missing pull tab |  | 113 |  |
| (d) Torn pull tab (materially affecting usability) |  |  | 213 |
| Missing component (straw, etc.) |  |  | 214 |
| Two part container (poly lined box or bag in box): |  |  |  |
| (a) Outer case torn |  |  | 215 |
| (b) Poly liner: |  |  |  |
| 1. Missing | 5 |  |  |
| 2. Improper closure |  | 114 |  |
| Missing “zip lock” (re-sealable containers) |  |  | 216 |
| Loss of vacuum (in vacuum-packed) |  | 115 |  |
| Pre-formed containers: |  |  |  |
| (a) Dented or crushed area |  |  | 217 |
| (b) Deformed container |  |  | 218 |
| Missing re-sealable cap |  | 116 |  |
| Inner or outer safety seal—missing, torn, poor seal | 6 |  |  |
| Air bubble in plastic |  | 117 |  |
| Thermostabilized products (includes but not limited to tubes, pouches, etc.): |  |  |  |
| Foldover wrinkle in seal area (thermostabilized pouches): |  |  |  |
| (a) Extends through all plies across seal area or reduces seal less than ⁄-inch | 7 |  |  |
| (b) Does not extend through all plies and effective seal is ⁄-inch or greater |  |  | 219 |
| Incomplete seal (thermostabilized pouches) | 8 |  |  |
| Non-bonding seal (thermostabilized pouches) | 9 |  |  |
| Laminate separation in body of pouch or in seal within ⁄-inch of food product edge: |  |  |  |
| (a) If food contact layer is exposed | 10 |  |  |
| (b) If food contact surface is exposed after manipulation or laminate separation expands after manipulation |  | 118 |  |
| (c) If lamination separation is limited to isolated spots that do not propagate with manipulation or is outer ply separation in seal within ⁄-inch of food product edge of seal |  |  | 220 |
| Flex cracks (cracks in foil layer only) |  |  | 221 |
| Swollen container | 11 |  |  |
| Blister (in seal) reducing intact seal to less than ⁄-inch | 12 |  |  |
| Compressed seal (overheated to bubble or expose inner layer) reducing intact seal to less than ⁄-inch | 13 |  |  |
| Stringy seal (excessive plastic threads showing at edge of seal area) |  |  | 222 |
| Contaminated seal (entrapped matter) reducing intact seal to less than ⁄-inch | 14 |  |  |
| Seal creep (product in pouch “creeping” into seal) reducing intact seal to less than ⁄ inch | 15 |  |  |
| Misaligned or crooked seal reducing intact seal to less than ⁄-inch | 16 |  |  |
| Seal formed greater than 1-inch from edge of pouch (unclosed edge flaps) |  |  | 223 |
| Waffling (embossing on surface from retort racks; not scorable unless severe) |  |  | 224 |
| Poor or missing tear notch (when required) |  |  | 225 |

Table X—Unitizing

[Plastic or other type of casing/unitizing]

|  |  |  |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Not specified method | 101 |  |
| Missing tray (when required) | 102 |  |
| Missing shrink wrap (when required) | 103 |  |
| Loose or improperly applied wrap |  | 201 |
| Torn or mutilated |  | 202 |
| Off-center wrap (does not overlap both ends) |  | 203 |

[78 FR 57041, Sept. 17, 2013]